Egypt abstains from UNSC resolution imposing sanctions on Syria

CAIRO – 1 March 2017: Egypt abstained from voting on a United Nations Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on the Syrian government over use of chemical weapons Tuesday,

Reuters reported

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Russia, China and Bolivia vetoed the resolution, drafted by France, Britain and the United States. , nNine member states voted in favor of the sanctions, and Egypt, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan abstained.

A diplomatic source told Al-Shorouk, Egypt’s abstention “came after it had affirmed confirmed Mexico Russia was using the veto, which made supporting the resolution useless,.” a diplomatic source told Al-Shorouk.

"It is a sad day on the Security Council when members start making excuses for other member states killing their own people. The world is definitely a more dangerous place," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said after the vote, according to Reuters.

The draft resolution proposed banning “the sale or supply of helicopters to the Syrian government,” as well as “a travel ban and asset freeze on 11 Syrian military commanders and officials” and “ten government and related entities.”